NBA Playoffs 2012: New York Knicks and Teams in Big Trouble

The 2012 NBA Playoffs are in full force, and while they have been running smoothly for a few teams, a couple clubs appear to be in big trouble.

Let's take a look at four of them.

New York Knicks

The Knicks were absolutely trounced 100-67 in Game 1 against the Miami Heat, and although they played much better in Game 2, still fell short—104-94. While not many were picking the Knicks to upset the Heat, it was projected to be a much more competitive series due to the incredible April play by Knicks superstar Carmelo Anthony. Although he had his shot working (12-26 FG) in Game 2, it still proved to be too little for the team to top the Eastern Conference favorite Heat.

Although he's playing through it, Tyson Chandler's illness (flu) has kept him from playing to his peak; further, Iman Shumpert will no longer be available in the playoffs after he tore his ACL in Game 1—two huge roadblocks for the team to get back into this series.

But it's getting worse and worse for the Knicks. The $100 million man, Amar'e Stoudemire punched the glass surrounding a fire extinguisher after Game 2 and will now miss Game 3 and perhaps the entire series.

It already appeared the Knicks didn't have extinguish the Miami Heat's flame, but losing Amar'e makes it nearly impossible.

Dallas Mavericks

After losing 102-99 to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, the Dallas Mavericks find themselves down 0-2 in the series. What's done the Mavs in thus far is their late-game execution.  They held a seven-point lead with 2:30 remaining in Game 1 and held a narrow one point lead with 2:16 remaining in game two and crumbled both times.

It can't be viewed as a good sign that Kevin Durant is shooting a putrid 17-44 for the series, yet the Thunder were still able to win both games. The Mavericks simply don't have the across-the-board elite talent the Thunder possess to overcome this deficit and win the series.

Chicago Bulls

The Bulls are in a different kind of trouble than the Knicks and the Mavericks. The Bulls had expectations of a championship entering the postseason, and now it is very unlikely they will reach that goal.

As you very well know, superstar point guard Derrick Rose tore his ACL late in Game 1 of the team's opening playoff game against the Philadelphia 76ers—a tremendous blow. I still expect the Bulls to easily defeat the 76ers and am not ready to write them off as advancing past the second round, but I don't see the Bulls winning the Eastern Conference Finals, as they will likely face the Miami Heat.

Look, I know the Bulls were 18-9 without Rose this season, and one of those victories took place against the Heat, but the playoffs are a different animal. The Heat's talent proved too much for the Bulls to handle even with Rose in a seven-game series format last year, when they were defeated 4-1. Rarely does a team without a superstar hold the Larry O'Brien Trophy, and to even have a chance to do so, they will have to win four games against a team with two in LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

Boston Celtics

Despite being the fifth seed to the Hawks fourth seed, the Celtics were a nearly unanimous favorite to win the opening round series between the two. I know I picked them.

But it's looking pretty gloomy for the C's so far. They dropped Game 1 in embarrassing fashion, as their emotional leader Kevin Garnett was significantly outplayed by the Hawks' Josh Smith, who finished the game with 22 points and 18 rebounds. 

Another concern is the ankle injury that caused Ray Allen to miss Game 1 and will also require offseason surgery. The Celtics' shooting guard is far from a lock to play in Game 2, but even if he is able to suit up sometime soon, he clearly won't be at his best.

Also, Rajon Rondo will miss Game 2 due to a suspension he received for bumping a referee late in Game 1. It's critical the Celtics avoid falling behind 0-2. Not having Rondo—the team's best player—for the second contest makes it more likely.

Although the C's are clearly in trouble, this group of wily veterans possess the mental fortitude to claw their way back into the series. 

But it is truly going to be an uphill climb.